Kimberley contemplates a tattoo for the new year, while sharing wisdom from the season’s best podcasts. 

In this episode we learn:
1. systems don’t complicate your life, they remove friction
2. no is a complete sentence
3. let me look into that
4. design with intention, not just for attention
5. is this an insurmountable problem
6. when you are speaking to everyone, you are speaking to no one
7. the client’s wish list never aligns with the client’s budget
8. beware of toxic positivity
9. never be more concerned about your client’s money than you are about your own
10. feel awkward for 15 seconds, and see what the client says

Success is not an accident. It's a strategy.
Business of Design® is that strategy. Become a member, today.
https://businessofdesign.com/membership

Become a Member

EP 408 | My Next Tattoo with Kimberley Seldon

Maybe it’s time to make your approach to marketing stand out. How can we do that? Well, first of all, says our guest Heather Peterson, have fun. A playful and novel approach will get your client’s attention. Just make sure you know exactly which type of client you’d like to work with first. 

In this episode we learn: 
- speak to few, not many
- be specific about the work you showcase and speak directly to the exact type of client you want
- stay top of mind by frequent connection points
- a book is a great opportunity to share recent work with past clients
- sow seeds, rather than opting for a single blanket mailing 
- package any gifts thoughtfully, so they’ll stand out 
- make it easy for the client to say yes to your offer by supplying them with things they can easily share

Success is not an accident. It's a strategy.
Business of Design® is that strategy. Join today.
https://businessofdesign.com/membership

Join Today

EP 410 | A Novel Idea with Heather Peterson

Make this holiday season stress-free and pain-free with the Chiropractic Christmas Checklist from Dopps Chiropractic in Overland Park. Learn tips for maintaining mindful posture during holiday decorating, shopping, gift-wrapping, and cooking, and discover how chiropractic care and nutritional support can keep you energized and aligned. Schedule your appointment now to stay healthy and enjoy the holidays to the fullest!

Holiday Wellness: Chiropractic Christmas Checklist for Overland Park

In this candid conversation between two long time Business of Design® Members, Dane Austin interviews Kristen Apicerno on all topics from the importance of finding a mentor to developing your processes, and committing to regular marketing to collaboration over competition. Dane and Kristen share how they navigate business challenges and the lessons they've learned on the job.

In this episode we learn:
- find and learn from experienced professions who can guide you
- develop a successful design process to streamline and elevate your work
- commit to scheduling time for marketing and finances
- set clear expectations in your contract
- identify and leverage your superpowers
- embrace practicality in your space, don't stress over imperfections
- put yourself out there

Success is not an accident. It's a strategy.
Business of Design® is that strategy. Join today.
https://businessofdesign.com/membership

EP 411 | In My Experience with Kristen Apicerno, Hosted by Dane Austin

Key to success for many interior design professionals is hiring someone who excels in areas where they struggle. Amanda Giles shares her experience of hiring a Director of Operations after many unsuccessful attempts to hire an administrator. This detail oriented, office over-seer can significantly improve the quality of work and overall efficiency and allow you to do more work and better work. What’s not to love?

In this episode we learn:
- be honest with yourself about your strengths and weaknesses; nobody is good or bad at everything
- structure your business by radically simplifying for your skills or hiring those with complementary strengths
- work on understanding all the parts of the business, but empower and trust your team to take authority in their area
- teach clients and vendors to trust your team, and back them up 100%

Join Today!

EP 415 | Director Of Operations with Amanda Giles and Julie Broms

We all understand the value of tracking overall profitability, but sophisticated business owners will also want to track profitability by project. Why? Individual projects may vary greatly when it comes to the amount of revenue and profit they generate. Understanding project profitability allows you to focus marketing efforts and tweak offerings to increase overall financial health.

In this episode we learn:
- tracking project profitability allows you to be smarter in terms of marketing
- analyze which types of projects bring you the greatest profit margin
- don’t be afraid of your P&L
- hire a bookkeeper who will differentiate by project
- even when you hire an accounting team, you’ll need to stay involved

Success is not an accident. It's a strategy.
Business of Design® is that strategy. Join today.
https://businessofdesign.com/membership

 

EP 416 | Projects Most Profitable with LoriAnn Kuntz

My magic is helping design leaders transform their teams and businesses by embracing an 'improv mindset.' I’m passionate about showing how practices of adaptability, bold humility, and "Yes, and..." can unlock possibility and creative partnership in every team. Through my Connective Influence Model, I share skills like creating "brave spaces" and "listening to learn", as a way to build trust, spark cohesion, and create thriving, people-first cultures.

In this episode we learn: 
- the power of holding brave space to create psychological safety
- how to foster curiosity by listening to learn 
- self-awareness allows you to be in the moment and present
- the power of bold humility
- why it’s a good idea to know and challenge your patterns
- how to use ‘yes, and…’ to build on others’ ideas instead of dismissing them

Business of Design® is your blueprint for running streamline projects and building a highly profitable interior design business.
Get your business blueprint at 
https://businessofdesign.com/membership

EP 417 | Yes, You Can Lead with Shannon Hughes

What if life-work balance isn’t a tightrope, but rather it’s a scenic drive in your dream car? Systems are the road maps that keep you on course. Delegation is your pit crew making sure the wheels stay on. Slowing down is how you take it all in and enjoy your own success. When you implement smart systems you’ll learn that success is not about perfection—it’s about enjoying the journey.

In this episode we learn:
- map your success route with systems
- create a weekly schedule that prioritizes essential tasks for work and life
- delegate to your team by allowing them to follow your systems
- block time on your calendar for non-negotiables like family, rest, and self-care
- complete a task audit monthly and look for ways to eliminate busy work or outdated habits that don’t align with your current priorities.
- regularly review your systems and goals

Business of Design® is your blueprint for running streamline projects and building a highly profitable interior design business.
Get your business blueprint at 
https://businessofdesign.com/membership

EP 418 | Map your Route to Success with Brenda Brix

When was the last time you took a risk? In this episode, we'll hear how one designer did just that when she took on a large project just outside her comfort zone. Then, we’ll hear from her PR firm who’ll share how they leveraged the new project to gain recognition for their clients.

In this episode we learn:
- leverage your expertise to bring fresh insight to new project types
- embrace market changes rapidly
- outsource anything that’s not in your zone of expertise
- plan for lighting early

Business of Design® is your blueprint for running streamline projects and building a highly profitable interior design business.
Get your business blueprint at 
https://businessofdesign.com/membership

EP 419 | Embrace the Challenge with Kim Allen

You can brighten up a room for spring with these tips from Terrie Dean, with The Wishing Well.  Using flowers and other decor, give a room a fresh look.

Ideas to brighten you home for Spring!

Business of Design® is the #1 trusted business training resource for design professionals around the world. Join thousands of design professional already using our field-tested project management strategies and enjoy increased confidence, improved client retention, greater profits and a business that thrives.

It’s time to take control of your business. 
Become a member of Business of Design®, today:
https://businessofdesign.com/?ref=2&campaign=podcast

New tracks tagged #Decorating